Living next to a London Underground station adds an extra £42,0001 to the value of a home, but which stops are in the highest demand from house hunters?

eMoov have revealed the Top 10 stops that buyers want to live close to, calculated according to the number of properties listed against the number sold in a set period of time, and the top stop isn’t even in London2.

Top 10 in-demand Tube stops

Watford – Zone 7, Metropolitan Line

Eastcote – Zone 5, Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines

Ickenham – Zone 6, Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines

West Ruislip – Zone 6, Central Line

Ruislip – Zone 6, Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines

Ruislip Manor – Zone 6, Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines

Pinner – Zone 5, Metropolitan Line

Croxley – Zone 7, Metropolitan Line

Rayners Lane – Zone 5, Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines

Hornchurch – Zone 6, District Line

With all of the Top 10 hotspots located in Zone 5 and beyond, where property is more affordable, the findings demonstrate how desirable Greater London is for homebuyers.

By contrast, all of the least desirable Tube stops to live close to are in Zone 1, London’s central district.

It’s in these areas that property is generally more expensive and commuters suffer the severest overcrowding.

The research also unveiled the Top 10 biggest climbers, in terms of the destinations that have quickly gained popularity amongst homebuyers. Interestingly, the majority of the areas gaining momentum are in East London, with East Ham experiencing a massive 26% rise in just six months.

Top 10 biggest climbers

East Ham – Zone 3/4, District and Hammersmith and City Lines

Woodford – Zone 4, Central Line

Upminster Bridge – Zone 6, District Line

Colliers Wood – Zone 3, Northern Line

Chesham – Zone 9, Metropolitan Line

Upton Park – Zone 3, District and Hammersmith and City Lines

Barking – Zone 4, District and Hammersmith and City Lines, and London Overground

Barkingside – Zone 4, Central Line

Walthamstow Central – Zone 3, Victoria Line and London Overground

Stratford – Central and Jubilee Line, DLR, and London Overground

When looking at each individual Tube route, the Central Line proved to be the most popular, with demand along it at 48%. However, the Jubilee Line saw the largest increase in demand over the past six months, up 18% in total.

The least in-demand Tube lines were the Circle, Northern and Victoria, although they still came in at a notable 37%.

eMoov’s research should reassure house buyers of the value of buying along the commuter route, even if it is in Zone 5 or further, and as the Crossrail continues its development, demand is likely to remain strong in the South East.

1 The Telegraph, 2014. What to live close to a train station? That’ll be an extra £42,000. [Online] Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/house-prices/11062928/Want-to-live-close-to-a-station-Thatll-be-an-extra-42000.html.2 The Telegraph, 2015. Revealed: the most in-demand Tube stops for house buyers isn’t even in London. [Online] Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/buying-selling-moving/11780834/Revealed-the-most-in-demand-Tube-stop-for-house-buyers-isnt-even-in-London.html. [All information sources accessed 7th August 2015].